ELECTROSURGICAL FORCEPS WITH SUCTION DEVICE

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrosurgical forceps comprising a device for suctioning fumes likely to be emitted during an intervention. The invention applies more particularly to a bipolar surgical forceps comprising two electrodes arranged at the respective ends of two articulated members. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Electrosurgical devices, whether monopolar or bipolar, are widely used in the surgical field to incise, manipulate and / or cauterize tissue. However, the fumes emitted by these instruments during their use may contain chemical elements that, if inhaled, could be harmful to the health of the patient as well as that of the surgeon. These fumes may notably contain irritant and / or carcinogenic substances. It is therefore desirable to limit the risk of contamination by having surgical forceps capable of aspirating the generated smoke to prevent its inhalation.

[0003] Such a clamp is known from document US20170319264. The proximal end of this clamp is connected to a suction device and the internal walls of the members of the clamp are configured to form, in combination, a suction conduit when these two members are pressed against each other to cauterize tissue.

[0004] Document WO2015193627 discloses a versatile electrosurgical forceps capable of operating in gripping, incision and cauterization. This forceps can treat tissues in these different operating modes without necessarily adjusting the energy level and / or the waveform delivered by the generator during the intervention. A first electrode, disposed at the distal end of a first member, has a concave cross-section, capable of housing at least in part a second electrode. The second electrode, disposed at the distal end of a second member articulated to the first, projects from the first electrode when the two members are brought together. As detailed in the aforementioned document, the forceps can be used in several different operating modes. In each of these modes, a particular portion of the electrodes is brought into contact with the tissues.Accordingly, the precise origin of the fumes generated during the use of this forceps varies depending on the operating mode used. Documents US 2003 / 139743 A1, US 6,926,717 B1, US 2010 / 087814 A1 and US 2007 / 255272 A1 disclose other electrosurgical forceps equipped with a suction device.

[0005] It would be desirable to have electrosurgical forceps equipped with a suction device allowing effective suction of fumes regardless of the operating mode chosen. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One aim of the invention is to provide such an electrosurgical forceps comprising a smoke suction device. Another aim of the invention is to provide a smoke suction device which can be fitted to an existing electrosurgical forceps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In order to achieve this aim, the subject of the invention provides an electrosurgical clamp according to claim 1.

[0008] According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in any technically feasible combination: the suction gutter is formed of two side walls and a base, the base comprising a spout for receiving the first electrode and preventing a suction flow at the foot of this first electrode; the walls comprise, on their internal surface, guide elements for directing the smoke towards the suction duct; the second electrode has a blade shape having a flat surface, and the shutter element comprises two flats arranged parallel to the flat surface; the second electrode comprises a manipulator for rotating the second electrode on itself; the first member also comprises an irrigation channel opening onto an irrigation nozzle arranged directly under the first electrode; the longitudinal body is clipped to the first member using a pair of notches arranged on a proximal part of the longitudinal body; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description of the invention which follows with reference to the appended figures in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 represents an overall view of an electrosurgical clamp according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 represents a section of the longitudinal body of a suction device according to the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] There figure 3 represents a perspective view of a gutter of the suction device of the figure 2 ; [ Fig. 4 ] [ Fig. 5 ] THE figures 4 And 5 represent the distal end of a clamp according to the invention, in two different operating modes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In reference to the figure 1, the clamp 10 comprises a first member 11 and a second member 12 connected by a hinge pivot allowing the members 11, 12 to be brought together and moved apart from each other. The hinge pivot is here positioned at the proximal end of each member, but it could just as easily be placed in the central part of the members 11, 12 to form scissors. The clamp 10 is electrically connected to a generator (not shown in the figures) capable of generating the high-frequency signals leading to the performance of treatments, such as an incision and / or cauterization. This may be a current generator.

[0011] The clamp 10 also comprises a first electrode 13a and a second electrode 13b respectively arranged at the distal ends 11a, 12a of the first member 11 and of the second member 12. The electrodes 13a, 13b are electrically connected to the generator, for example by means of a cable integrated into the members 11, 12 to form a first and second electrical contact with the biological tissues, and to close current lines on these tissues.

[0012] The first electrode 13a has a concave cross-section, capable of partially housing the second electrode 13b, here in the form of a blade having a flat surface and an edge which can both be used during a treatment. The second electrode 13b projects from the first electrode 13a when the two members 11, 12 are in a position close to each other.

[0013] In the example shown, the electrosurgical forceps is provided with a suction device. This is formed of a longitudinal body 21 assembled to the first member 11, shown in section on the figure 2 , and a shutter element 26 arranged on the second member 12.

[0014] The longitudinal body 21 has, at a first end, a connector 22 for connecting a channel 20 to a suction duct of external equipment. The channel 20 is formed, at its second end opposite the first end, by a suction gutter 23 intended to receive the distal end 11a of the first member 11. The suction gutter 23 has an upper opening 24a, which will hereinafter be called the main opening 24a, and an axial opening 24b, which are both used to evacuate the fumes as will be detailed in the remainder of this description. When the longitudinal body 21 is properly assembled to the clamp, at least a portion of the first electrode 13a projects from the suction gutter 23.

[0015] As can be seen on the figure 2, the channel 20 is a closed channel which is buried over part of its length in the longitudinal body 21. This closed portion of the channel opens on one side onto the suction gutter 23 and on the other onto the connector 22. The channel 20 makes it possible to evacuate the smoke formed at the distal end of the clamp 10, in the environment close to the electrodes 13a, 13b and captured by at least one of the openings 24a, 24b of the suction gutter 23, towards the suction duct. The gutter 23 therefore forms a suction nozzle for these fumes, and its configuration makes it possible to efficiently suck up the fumes in the multiple operating modes of the clamp.

[0016] There figure 3shows a perspective view of the suction gutter 23, in which the main opening 24a of the gutter 23 is clearly visible. A rear cover 30 is provided with a passage 30a shaped to the contour of the distal end 11a of the first member 11 of the clamp. The clamp 10 is assembled to the longitudinal body 21 by introducing the distal end 11a of the first member 11, carrying the first electrode 13a, through the passage 30a. In the assembled position, the passage 30a is entirely closed by the first member 11 of the clamp, which limits or eliminates any parasitic suction flow at this passage 30a when the suction mechanism of the clamp is activated. To securely retain the longitudinal body 21 on the first member 11, the longitudinal body 21 is provided with a retaining element 29, here a pair of notches 29 arranged on a proximal part, to clip onto the first member 11.

[0017] As can be seen on the figures 4 And5 , the suction gutter 23 comprises a base 23a ending in a spout 25 having a recess for receiving and carrying the first electrode 13a. The suction gutter 23 also comprises two lateral walls 23b defining the main and axial openings. The suction channel 20 opens into the base 23a of the gutter 23 as is clearly visible in the figure 2 The gutter has a dimension such that a lateral spacing exists between the first member 11, the first electrode 13a and the walls 23b. This spacing, which can be between 1 mm and 5 mm on each side of the first electrode 13a, defines the axial opening 24b allowing suction as close as possible to the first electrode 13a as is clearly visible in the figure 4 . Similarly, the distance separating the two walls 23b at their free ends defines the main opening 24a of the gutter 23.

[0018] The lateral parts of the spout 25, on either side of the recess receiving the first electrode 13a, make it possible to prevent suction from being too close to this electrode 13a. This prevents the suction of fluids or other unwanted elements which could block and / or damage the suction channel 20. As can be seen in the figure 2 , the lateral parts of the spout 25, inside the gutter 23, are shaped as ramps, to properly direct the axial suction flow.

[0019] Advantageously, the walls 23b may comprise on their internal surfaces, oriented towards the inside of the suction gutter 23, guide elements 27 for directing the sucked smoke towards the opening of the suction channel 20.

[0020] The second member 12 of the clamp is configured to at least partially close the main opening 24a of the suction gutter 23 when the two members 11, 12 are in a position close to each other. For this purpose, the second member 12 is provided with the shutter element 26. The latter is arranged along this member 12 to be opposite the main opening 24a of the gutter 23 and to allow it to be positioned between the two side walls 23b by bringing the two members 11, 12 together. The shutter element 26 is here in the form of a substantially cylindrical part, fitted onto the second member 12. By closing the suction gutter using the shutter element 26, even partially, the suction flows are reinforced at the axial opening of the gutter and the evacuation of the fumes produced in the direct environment of this opening is improved.

[0021] Returning to the description of the figure 1, the second member 12 of the clamp is advantageously provided with a manipulator 14 making it possible to move the second electrode 13b in rotation on itself (around an axis coincident with this electrode) and to position the latter according to different orientations relative to the first electrode 13a. The manipulator 14 here takes the form of a rosette element 14 having four wings 14' defining four notches 14" making it possible to receive the first member 11 when the two members 11, 12 are brought together. The rosette element 14 is free to move in rotation around an axis substantially defined by the longitudinal axis of the second member 12, and drives the second electrode 13b and the shutter element 26 in rotation.

[0022] The two electrodes 13a, 13b (when the second member is brought closer to the first) protrude from the suction gutter 23 so that this gutter (and more generally the suction device) does not hinder the use of the forceps during an intervention. The main opening 24a of the suction gutter 23 allows in particular the second member to be freely brought closer to the first, and the second electrode 13b to be positioned close to the first electrode 13a ( Figure 5 ) or to house it in the concavity of this first electrode ( figure 4 ), allowing unhindered operation of the electrosurgical clamp in all its operating modes in accordance with the teaching of document WO2015193627.

[0023] When the two members 11, 12 of the clamp are open, in a configuration allowing the tissues to be gripped between the two electrodes 13a, 13b, the main opening 24a of the gutter is not closed by the obturator element 26, and so-called “radial” suction flows can flow through this opening, as close as possible to the tissues, to evacuate any fumes that may be emitted.

[0024] In another mode of operation shown in the Figure 5the second blade-shaped electrode 13b is oriented and positioned using the rosette element 14 so that its flat surface overhangs the first concave electrode 13a. In this configuration the shutter element 26 fully obstructs the opening 24a of the gutter 23, and comes as close as possible to the walls 23b of the gutter 23, for example less than 0.2 mm from these walls. The presence of a radial flow through the main opening 24a is thus limited or prevented, to favor the axial suction flow, making it possible to suck up the fumes produced at the end of the flat surface of the second electrode 13b, for example when the latter is working in cauterization.

[0025] In yet another mode of operation shown on the figure 4, the second blade-shaped electrode 13b is oriented and positioned using the rosette element 14 to be partially housed in the concavity of the first electrode 13a. In this configuration, the second member 12 is arranged as close as possible to the first member 11, and the shutter element 26 penetrates a little deeper between the two walls 23b, and engages a little more deeply in the gutter 23. The shutter element 26 having a cylindrical shape, this engagement releases a clearance between the shutter element 26 and each of the walls 23b. This clearance, which can be of the order of a millimeter, makes it possible to develop a radial suction flow making it possible to suck up the fumes produced near the cutting edge of the second electrode 13b, for example when the latter works in incision.Of course, the shutter element 26 may have a shape other than the cylindrical one shown in the figures, any shape varying its transverse dimension according to its degree of engagement in the gutter 23 making it possible to obtain the same effect.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, optional but very advantageous for promoting the development of the radial suction flow in the configuration which has just been described, the cylindrical-shaped shutter element 26 can be provided on its external surface with two diametrically opposed flats 26'. The surfaces of these flats 26' are parallel to the flat surface of the second electrode 13b. The flats 26' make it possible to reduce the transverse dimension of the shutter element 26 in this configuration. Thus, when the second electrode 13b is oriented using the rosette element 14 to be able to be housed in the concavity of the first electrode 13a, the flats 26' are oriented to face the walls 23b of the gutter. The shutter element 26 then partially fills the opening 24a of this gutter 23, which promotes the development of the radial suction flow.

[0027] In addition to a suction channel 20, the longitudinal body 21 may be provided with an irrigation channel 28, visible in the figure 2. The irrigation channel 28 is advantageously arranged substantially parallel to the suction channel 20. This irrigation channel 28 is also closed and integrated into the longitudinal body 21. It opens onto a secondary connector 28' to be connected to an irrigation conduit of equipment, configured to dispense a liquid into this channel. On the other side of the longitudinal body 21, the irrigation channel 28 opens onto an irrigation nozzle 28". The irrigation nozzle 28" opens at the level of the spout 26 of the base 23a of the suction gutter 23, directly under the first electrode 13a, that is to say in contact with this electrode. In this way, the fluid circulating in the irrigation conduit 28 can bead and / or trickle along this electrode 13a to reach the tissues, regardless of the orientation of the clamp and the electrodes.In an alternative configuration not shown in the figures, the irrigation nozzle 28" does not open directly under the first electrode 13a. In this case, it is possible to provide that the irrigation channel has, on the side of the first electrode, an elbow allowing the channel to open at a distance from the first electrode. By thus moving the irrigation nozzle away from the first electrode, the risk of sucking the liquid which pours from the nozzle into the suction channel is limited.

[0028] Of course, the invention is not limited to the method of implementation described and variant embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0029] The suction device (and in particular the longitudinal body) has been presented and described as a separate element and assemblable to the electrosurgical forceps, which forms an important advantage of the present invention.

[0030] Electrodes can be of various shapes and not just restricted to the shapes shown.

Claims

1. Electrosurgical forceps (10) comprising: - a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) connected by a pivot joint for moving the arms (11,12) toward and away from one another, the two arms (11,12) having a distal end (11a,12a) and a proximal end (11b,12b); - a first electrode (13a) and a second electrode (13b) arranged at the distal ends (11a, 12a) of the first arm (11) and the second arm (12), respectively; - a longitudinal body (21) connected to the first arm (11) and in which a channel (20) is arranged, the main body (21) terminating, on the side of the distal end (11a) of the first arm (11), in a suction conduit (23) having an upper opening (24a) and an axial opening (24b), - a shutter element (26) arranged on the second arm (12) and configured to at least partially fill up the upper opening (24a) of the suction conduit (23) when the two members (11,12) are in a position close to one another.

2. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the suction conduit (23) is formed by two side walls (23b) and a base (23b), the base (23a) comprising a spout (25) to receive the first electrode (13a) and to prevent a suction flow at the foot of this first electrode (13a).

3. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the walls (23b) comprise, on their internal surface, guide elements (27) to direct the smoke towards the suction duct (20).

4. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode (13b) has the shape of a blade having a flat surface, and the shutter element (26) comprises two flats (26') arranged in parallel with the flat surface.

5. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second electrode (13b) comprises a manipulator (14) for rotating the second electrode (13b) on itself.

6. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first arm (11) also comprises an irrigation channel (28) opening onto an irrigation nozzle (28") arranged directly under the first electrode (13a).

7. Electrosurgical forceps (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal body (21) is clipped to the first arm (11) using a pair of notches (29) arranged on a proximal part of the longitudinal body (21).